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Creating Paths

There are three paths you can take when creating paths (sorry, I couldn't resist):

• Create a path directly from a selection you've already made.

• Create a path from scratch by using the Pen tools and drawing the path by hand.

• Create a path using the Shape tools.

Paths via Selections

Depending on the image at hand, simply making a selection and converting it to a path can be the easiest and quickest way to create a path.

Let's look at an example. Figure 13.1 shows the test image, a tire gauge. We'll select the object, and make what's called a clipping path, clipping it out of the background. Without Photoshop, you would achieve the same effect with a photographic print and a pair of scissors.

Figure 13.1. The test image. The goal is ...